---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the great weaknesses of the…"
description: "\"One of the great weaknesses of the progressive, as distinct from the religious, mind, is that it has no awareness of truth as such; only of truth in te..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/malcolm-muggeridge-2370_awareness_one-of-the-great-weaknesses-of-the-progr_1788566.jpg"
---

#  One of the great weaknesses of the progressive, as…

![“One of the great weaknesses of the progressive, as distinct from the religious, mind, is that it has no awareness of truth as such; only of truth in terms of enlightened expediency. The contrast is well exemplified in two exact contemporaries - Simone Weil and Simone de Beauvoir; both highly…” quote by Malcolm Muggeridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/malcolm-muggeridge-2370_awareness_one-of-the-great-weaknesses-of-the-progr_1788566.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/malcolm-muggeridge-2370_awareness_one-of-the-great-weaknesses-of-the-progr_1788566.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/malcolm-muggeridge-2370_awareness_one-of-the-great-weaknesses-of-the-progr_1788566.jpg)

> “One of the great weaknesses of the progressive, as distinct from the religious, mind, is that it has no awareness of truth as such; only of truth in terms of enlightened expediency. The contrast is well exemplified in two exact contemporaries - Simone Weil and Simone de Beauvoir; both highly intelligent and earnestly disposed. In all the fearful moral dilemmas of our time, Simone Weil never once went astray, whereas Simone de Beauvoir, with I am sure the best of intentions, has found herself aligned with apologists for some of the most monstrous barbarities and falsehoods of history.”

[Malcolm Muggeridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-muggeridge/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Progressive thinking often treats truth as a tool for goals, ignoring absolute truth, unlike some religious perspectives.

**In simple terms:** Progressives may sacrifice truth for expediency.

Key Takeaway

Balance pragmatic aims with a commitment to objective truth.

Themes

truth progressivism ethics philosophy politics

Mood

thoughtful analytical inquisitive

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- policy making
- academic research
- public debate
- personal decision making

Key Concepts

instrumental rationality moral absolutism intellectual honesty

Questions to Reflect On

- What truths are we willing to compromise for progress?
- How can we integrate absolute truth into pragmatic actions?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on expediency can erode moral foundations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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